Sure as I live, thy Maker saith

Representative Text

I. Sure as I live, thy Maker saith,
I ne'er desire the Sinner's Death,
But rather that he turn betimes
From all his former Ways and Crimes,
With true Repentance come to me,
And live to all Eternity.

II. O Man! let this Word comfort thee:
Sink not, great as thy Sins may be:
Lay hold on this free-offer'd Grace,
That's here comfirm'd by Promises,
Nay, seal'd with God's most solemn Oath,
They're blest who their Transgressions loath.

III. But hate presuming Carelessness;
Think not, there's Time enough for Grace;
I'll first partake of youthful Mirth,
Till I'm convinc'd, how vain's the Earth'
Then shall my serious Thoughts begin
To seek Forgiveness for my Sin.

IV. True, God is ready with his Grace
Repenting Sinners to embrace;
Yet, who runs up his Sinful Score
On Grace, till he can sin no more,
May find, to his amazing cost,
Long suff'ring Mercy wholly lost.

V. Mercy thy God has promis'd thee,
For CHRIST his Blood and Agony;
Yet in his Word did never say,
That thou shou'dst live another Day:
That thou must die, he has reveal'd;
But th' Hour of Death lies still conceal'd.

VI. To Day thou liv'st; To Day repent,
Lest all thy Life shou'd be mispent:
Who's brisk to Day; looks fair and red;
May lie to morrow sick and dead:
Who dies in his Impenitence,
Will ever curse his Negligence.

VII. O blessed JESU! grant I may
Return to Thee this very Day,
And live in constant Penitence,
Till Death repears to call me hence,
That I, in ev'ry Time and Place,
Be well prepar'd to end my Race.

Source: Psalmodia Germanica: or, The German Psalmody: translated from the high Dutch together with their proper tunes and thorough bass (2nd ed., corr. and enl.) #93

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Author: Johann Heermann

Johann Heermann's (b. Raudten, Silesia, Austria, 1585; d. Lissa, Posen [now Poland], 1647) own suffering and family tragedy led him to meditate on Christ's undeserved suffering. The only surviving child of a poor furrier and his wife, Heermann fulfilled his mother's vow at his birth that, if he lived, he would become a pastor. Initially a teacher, Heermann became a minister in the Lutheran Church in Koben in 1611 but had to stop preaching in 1634 due to a severe throat infection. He retired in 1638. Much of his ministry took place during the Thirty Years' War. At times he had to flee for his life and on several occasions lost all his possessions. Although Heermann wrote many of his hymns and poems during these devastating times, his persona… Go to person page >

Translator: J. C. Jacobi

Jacobi, John Christian, a native of Germany, was born in 1670, and appointed Keeper of the Royal German Chapel, St. James's Palace, London, about 1708. He held that post for 42 years, and died Dec. 14, 1750. He was buried in the Church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden. His publications included :— (1) A Collection of Divine Hymns, Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes and Thorough Bass. London: Printed and Sold by J. Young, in St. Paul’s Churchyard; . . . 1720. This edition contains 15 hymns. Two years later this collection, with a few changes in the text and much enlarged, was republished as (2) Psalmodia Germanica; or a Specimen of Divine Hymns. Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Sure as I live, thy Maker saith
German Title:	So wahr ich lebe, spricht dein Gott
Author:	Johann Heermann
Translator:	J. C. Jacobi
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain